An online survey has been launched and public events will be held over the next few weeks.

The first takes place on Tuesday (October 13) at Bourne Youth Centre from 1.30pm to 4pm, followed by another at The Centre @ Elsea Park from 1pm to 4pm on Monday next week (October 19). The town hall will be open for people to look around during the time of the meeting on Tuesday.

The county council is the sole trustee of the town hall charity, and must act in its best interests. It has set up a management committee to help decide the best option.

Management committee chairman Coun David Brailsford (Con) said: “We are asking residents for their opinions, so we can really be reflecting what will benefit the people of Bourne and what is in the best interests of the building.

“I’d really urge people to come along to the events we are holding, consider the options, and fill in the consultation survey to make their views known.”

The management committee has been in contact with independent experts in charity law, who have come up with six options that would be legally allowable under the original deed of gift. They are:

○ Retain the building and use it for charitable purposes, as set out in the original deed.

○ Retain the building and amend the original charitable purposes.

○ Appoint a new trustee to take on the building.

○ Create a new charity to take on the building.

○ Transfer the building to another charity.

○ Sell the building.

Further events will be held at The Centre @ Elsea Park from 9.30am to midday on October 28; at Lawrence Park Community Centre in Thurlby from 6.30pm to 9pm on November 3; and at Bourne Corn Exchange from 6pm to 8pm on November 11. The town hall will be open during the event on November 11.